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I am 69 years old and had the surgery 5 years ago. No complications but rather just that opposite. I am now off all (5) of my prescription medicines. I also have dramatically improved stamina (the ability to perform physical labor).

Tabbaby, can you tell us what kinds of things, specifically, you are scared of? Is it the surgery process itself? Are you afraid of complications? Are you afraid of not being able to eat? Let us know so that we can address specific things for you, k? As for me, I cannot think of a SINGLE thing that I regret. It's important that you realize that, for the most part, you will be able to eat anything you do now. You won't be able to eat as much...but you'll still feel full so it doesn't matter. You won't be able to eat as much...so you'll probably choose that protein-packed chicken over that cupcake (probably, but it's ok if you make a poor choice sometimes.) There are terrific counselors that specialize in working with weight loss surgery patients. Hang out here to get first hand perspective, and maybe seek out one of those counselors too. Pop in anytime! :tt2:

Have you had a very large, very satisfying poop? Chances are you are backed up...but you can never be sure in this situation. You are probably far enough out that surgical gas is not the cause, but your intestines are "whack" for a while. And can cause great pain and cramping. But that can also be from other surgical reasons too. Call your doc. Generally if you can eat and drink and keep things down and keep well hydrated and don't have to medicate with opiods to control the pain it's a normal thing for the biggest percentage of folks. But there are complications...

Surgery date 5/31/11 1. Band came overfilled and stomach swelled shut - all Fluid was taken out next day in office. No restriction at all now. 2. Allergic to pain medicine 3. Allergic to whey Protein - lived off egg drop Soup and Boost for over a week. Already on mushy foods but have not lost any weight since surgery and regain of dehydration. Do you think the MD will fill my band at post op appt? Is no weight loss normal with no restriction after surgery??? I had lost 100lbs on my own but my body wouldn't lose anymore so my body is already used to eating 1200 calories or less a day... just curious if anyone else experienced similar issues and what happened and if sometime soon I’ll actually lose weight? Feeling discouraged.

Interesting articles. I had revision surgery for a slipped lap band and had a new lap band placed 1 1/2 years ago. The new band slipped twice and I had my lap band removed totally a month ago. I'm sure that is a complication of revision surgery because my surgeon said that I had so much scar tissue from my previous surgeries that the scar tissue pushed my band up into my esophagus. Certainly this is a complication of revision surgery?

Howdy, Y'all! I thought I would join in with my 1-year anniversary story as well. I was banded February 23, 2007 and this has been an absolutely wonderful experience for me! I have had zero complications and feel so much better physically and mentallly. I started out at 226 pounds and wearing a size 16/18 and x-large scrubs (I'm a nurse) and I am now at goal at 140-144 pounds and wearing a size 6-8 and small to x-small scrubs! I have never in my adult life worn a size 6-8! It is amazing to me! I have only done small amounts of exercise throughout this journey (bad me, I know!) but I am much more active than I used to be and am planning to up my exercise routine. I do have some sagging skin issues but since I was self-pay for the banding there is no way I can afford any plastic surgery and I don't think I would choose to have any done anyway so I will just deal with the skin as best I can! Clothes cover it all up anyway! I can eat anything at all that I want and have been eating a lot of junk food lately and am amazed that I have not gained back any weight! I am tired of the crap food, though, and plan to get back to my low carb, healthy food ASAP. Like several of Y'all have mentioned I still think of myself as "big" and constantly buy clothes that are too big for me. The mind and self-image is a crazy thing! Even though I haven't posted too often here I read the boards very frequently and appreciate everyone sharing your experiences here. Congrats to everyone as we approach our anniversary! Can you just imagine how fun this summer is going to be! Woo-Hoo! Mary

I have never heard of someone paying $45,000. I am going to a center of excellence and EVERYTHING which includes surgeon fees, hospital stay, anesthesia, and BLIS coverage (basically insurance for complications) is running me $16,000. I am being sleeved on March 14. My husband said he was behind me 100% as long as I had it done in the US at a center of excellence with the complication insurance. Good luck to you. Jennifer

I chose the band over the bypass because the surgery is less invasive and recovery time is shorter. I've known a few people who got the bypass and had minor complications that put them in the hospital for several days. I don't have that much time off from work available in addition to the surgery. I've so far just had an initial seminar and have put the insurance wheels in motion. I also like that the procedure is reversible if need be.

@@CharlotteKat Please stop forcing your opinions on other people and giving criticism because they choose to do what they want to do. They have the right to choose how they want to live their life and just because a "journal" says its helpful... doesn't necessarily mean it is "helpful" for that particular person. People have a range of issues.. and it's not about falling apart when you see the numbers or lack of maturity. For example, ill use my own experience... i was heavy, lost weight, got to goal, maintained for 6 years.. and yes.. during maintenance i did weigh myself frequently.. and that worked for me at that time, so i don't disagree it is helpful when you are in the right headspace. Fast forward.. i had complications with my band and reset my basal metabolic rate.. so had to be sleeved so i can stay in the lower range calories. So, i continued weighing like i did prior.. and it was stressing me out, i was putting too much pressure on myself and without realising i became too focused on the number, instead of celebrating wins like i had done during my first time. I have 8 years of wls experience under my belt... and i know all about fluctuations, changes, Water weight you name it i have been through it. But sometimes we can not change the "mental" side of things.... so if a person who is experienced can go through those struggles... what about a newbie who hasn't. .. I think each person needs to figure out whats right for them... if weighing everyday works... great... if weighing weekly works... great... if weighing monthly works... great..... Losing is losing... regardless... its not a race... its lifestyle change

I also chose the sleeve because I didn't like the idea of having a foreign object left in me that can be adjusted or removed. I also know several people who either didn't lose weight or lose nearly enough for it to be worth it. I worked with a girl who could still take down an entire Chipotle burrito with chips, guac and a 32 oz soda. What's the point? I didn't like the RNY because I didn't want my intestines messed with, and the absorption and dumping was more than I wanted to deal with. I also know a guy who is still over 400 pounds 10 years post RNY. Sooo I went with the sleeve and could not be happier with my choice. I feel very satisfied with a small amount of food and have ZERO cravings. I had only a few complications and they were worth it. Pain was minimal, recovery was fairly easy except for the lack of energy which was my own fault as I cut down on my protein shakes too early. Best of luck to you!

I had my surgery on Monday 5/2!! I am so excited to be on the losers bench! My surgery went well with no complications. Stayed one night in the hospital and had the best care. Came home Tuesday afternoon with prescription for Tylenol with codeine and an anti nausea medication. I took them up to last night. Stopped because was getting a headache. Haven't needed the pain meds. Walking has helped with the gas bubbles. Thankfully no shoulder pains like I read pre op. I'm on full liquids until 5/11 when I see my surgeon for my follow up. I am having some diarrhea off n on. Not happy about that. Working on getting in my water and protein. Cream of chicken soup made with 1% milk for extra protein has been delicious! I have absolutely no regrets! Any suggestions on what I can eat on this stage is greatly appreciated!

So I will be 5 months out on the 21st. I am down 70lbs from the day of surgery and at another stall.. 2nd one in the past 2 months.. I know they happen, and I know the scale will move again, I just wish it would start moving NOW!! I am able to eat more then I was a month ago "way more" However I am still getting in around 900-1000 calories a day. I still start with my meat first and if I am able to eat it all with out my full signal I move on to my greens. Usually after a couple of bites I am finished.. Where as a month ago I was barely able to get down 1/4 of a chicken breast.. I did have complications "leak, pneumonia, etc." and that did put me behind where I should have been at. So maybe eating as much as I'm eating now is normal who knows.. I just know this stall thing stinks!!! Loosing another pants size is a plus!! I just want to see the sale move again!!

Go for it girl. Why spend the best years of your life miserable on yo-yo diets and spend thousands of $'s on diets that don't work. I'm going to help my daughter who's just like you but she's 28 years old get VSG next year. Why should this surgery be limited to the morbid obese with other health issues. Do it now before you get those health issues or you lose your self confidence because of your weight. Just know this is very serious and a life long committment. Not a fad or quick fix and you can complicate and ruin it and gain back the weight. Long term weight loss will all be on you, not the surgery. It's just a tool to help you get there and stay there IF you are willing to stay the course and change your lifestyle. Good luck to I hope it works out. I am scheduled to have VSG December 7th and I know I'm going to wish I had it done sooner.

One thing to consider with a band and no insurance is after-care. With a band, you have to have fills or the band does you no good. Many surgeons offer fills for a period of time in their fees, but after that, you are on your own. Fills can cost a few hundred dollars per. My surgeon wants me to have an Upper GI each year. That would be another cost. Bands are not a set-it and forget-it procedure like bypass is. Should you have a complication down the road and need the band removed, such as erosion, it is another full surgery. If your band should slip, treatment starts conservatively, but can end up back in the operating room. If all goes well, banding is cheaper than bypass. I've seen amounts around 10K in the states for a band, I don't know what after is included in that price. Bypass would be substantially more as the procedure takes quite a bit more time to complete. There are many self-pay people here who are extremely happy with their choice. But be sure you can afford the aftercare. If you cannot have fills, then it isn't worth it. And empty band is like an empty gas tank...it just sits there going nowhere fast.

Very Depressing day today.... I dont even know why. Maybe it is because I don NOT want to go to the doctors tomarrow. The last time I had a GYNO visit was HORRIBLE. LOL Probably why I havent gone in 6 years. The doc was such an arse. I have always sat up since I was 12 but nooooooooo she wanted me to lie down, then was mad cuz she couldnt see nothin and then was just a witch about it. I told her my cervix was tilted!!! Sheesh I just feel like I am in a viscous cycle. I cant work at a good job with good insurance cuz of my swelling legs and ankles. So I dont have insurance that will pay for surgery. I have a job that doesnt pay enough to get financing for surgery. Its like buying a house, I just dont think its ever gunna happen. I wont be able to work a "normal" job till I lose wieght. I just want to cry. LOL I even thought about playing the Megabucks the other day. The only 2 people I know that have money are my parents and one of my aunts friends. My parents wont loan me the money. *Sigh* LOL and I only met Rita once, how could I ask for a loan even though I know they have millions of dollars. But at this point I feel desprate. I think I will call my Aunt tomarrow, and see what she thinks. Being poor sucks sometimes. Its at times like this when I get angry with my parents. Why the hell would they say they would not help with college??? It wasnt my choice that you spent $100 grand on counceling because you all could not get it together. I think I would have chosen my future over that. Its why I had to wait 10 years to go to college, when you know thats all I have ever wanted to do. So now I am almost done and I am afraid cuz I might not be able to work... WTF??? When did life become so complicated???? I remember in my 20s that being poor wasnt a big deal. That was before all of my medical issues. What the hell is up with the cost of Drugs and going to the doctor???? Some days I just want to give up and call it quits.... Put me on Medicaid, give me a check and I can sit on my fat ass and not leave my house EVER. I really have thought about it. Even got a application sent 7 years ago. And the sick thing was my mom was like, go for it!!!! She must have missed the class where ya learn that you should want your kids to do better than yourself. So while she and dad live in thier 4000 sq ft house, going on cruises, snowbird ways, I trudge threw school a full time crappy pay job, live paycheck to paycheck and sink further and further down the working poor class funnel. I am really glad that these days are infrequent...lol OOOO and can I get my brothers phone number??? I only asked 3 years ago!!!! Sheesh....I know she is scared that I will tell the truth but come on, he is sick, I am sick, get over yourself!!!! I have already been sworn to never tell my Grandma she had a child out of wedlock and gave him up for adoption. I was punished cuz I told a friend. I just want to get to know him. I dont think it is fair that I had to meet him once with her there and never been able to talk to him since. It is just crap! I wonder what my life would have been like if so many things had not happened in my life. Would I have gained wieght? Would I have acted out sexually in childhood? Would I be a Pschologist like I planned? Would I have travled the world?Would I have tried modeling? Would I have become a dancer? Would I have children? I dunno.... But I do know I just want to be able to live, and thrive. I am dying here. I want to leave. My spirt is dying. I miss my "family" that I created. I miss all of the kids. I am afraid I will never be able to have any children now. Which is odd...lol... because I spent most of my 20s fearful of having kids cuz i didnt want to be like my mom. I married a wonderfull man that has a disability but who loves me unconditionally. He takes care of me, but he will never get a good job till he learns english. He accepts me with all my issues, God only knows he is a Saint, lol. Its amazing that i am so distorted. On a day to day basis I dont think of myself as fat. I catch a glimpse of someone in the mirror, who is that? ooops its me. IS that REALLY me???? Not at all who I think of as myself. I miss dancing,volleyball, softball, cute shoes, swimming all day, holidays..... OMG I let so many things just go by and not even batted an eyelash... ICK.. ENOUGH LAMENTING.... I shall get my fat arse upstairs and into bed for tomarrow is a new day

I am a 50 year old wife, mother of 3 beautiful adult daughters, and Grammy to 2 small children (a boy and a girl) all of whom I love dearly. All of whom will miss me if this surgery doesn't work, because I am dying. I am an insuln dependent diabetic with uncontrolled numbers for over 5 years now. I have severe COPD from 35 years of smoking (I have quit in the last year) I have high blood pressure, cholesterol, and Gastroparesis (paralasis of the stomach) from my diabetes. In Sept. 2010 I had a stent put in my heart and in March 2011, I had a heart attack anyway. At 285 lbs the hardest thing to take is that I have done this to myself. If I don't take control of my life, my beautiful Grandchildren will not remember me, and I will not see them grow up. I wish I had taken these steps sooner but to be honest, after 7 years of research, I couldn't afford to pay the amount not covered by my insurance. I was referred to Dr. Nazarian by a friend, and he was the first one willing to work with me. I have had all of my counseling, testing, authorizations from my many Doctors, and I have 1 appt. left before we schedule surgery. I expect to have the actual surgery by the end of Oct. early Nov. I am now working on the lifestyle changes I need to make to be successful in my journey. I am chewing longer and slower, I am drinking alot of water, I am stopping my meal when I am full, and I am keeping a daily food diary and calorie count. The one thing I am worried about is the exercise regimen which I am not able to perform because of my COPD. I get out of breath just walking across the house. But I keep trying. Some days are better than others. At this point, I just want to make it through the band surgery with no complications. I just want another chance to become healthy again and I am committed to doing whatever it takes. I am scared but hopeful, and I would appreciate any tips and support anyone has to offer. I know I will need this Forum in the months and years ahead. My ultimate goal will be to achieve good health and be able to pay it forward to someone else in the future.

Complications are very rare and I'm sure you wouldn't use a surgeon without a great reputation. I'd be happy to pray for a successful surgery and for your peace of mind if you'd like me to. Personally, I knew that the odds of my death were much higher every time I got behind the wheel of a car. I take my life in my hands every day and don't get to sleep through it! Honestly, it will be over before you know it!

@@IrishGermanRN I am well aware it's not an easy way out. I also mentioned I was referring to people with no medical complications who needed to lose 40-50lbs only! From your stats you are hoping to lose 70lbs and you have comorbities. Big difference in what I was referring to!

-ohheymarina, in my 30's I lost almost 200lbs (unfortunately didn't keep it all off, it that why I'm at this point) and had some loose skin. I exercised a lot and that did help. And I know that from talking to friends and family I felt it was much worse than it actually was. People I met post weight loss couldn't really telll, though some things were hidden by clothes. And there is always skin surgery if needed. Those surgeries have come a long way. Malin, I really am so sorry for your loss. I am sure you have picked a good and competent surgeon in a reputable facility. Things really have come so far since then. I know I've only considered surgery in the past few years because of those advancements. My fears and anxiety are so many. I do worry about post surgical complications, strictures and gerd mostly. I'm doing this surgery to improve the quality of my life and don't want to be one of those few people that wind up sicker afterwards. I worry about my friends and family really understanding my limitations for the few weeks and months after surgery. I worry about the initial "buyers regret" people have after surgery. I don't know if i will have anyone to talk to about those feelings. My friend and family all keep wanting to make sure I won't regret this decision so I don't feel like they will be an understanding ear. I worry I will only loose 20-40lbs. I really want to get to a normal bmi as a result of this surgery, something I have never been, even when I lost all that weight before. Lastly, I worry that I won't keep the weight off, the biggest reason I'm getting this done. I think that's enough worries for one person!

Sleeve surgery was a piece of cake. Recovery was not nearly as bad as I expected. My pain level was noticeable and more than with previous surgeries, but I did not have any significant issues with nausea or gas. I was on morphine rather than dilaudid. Had someone not made that decision, I think my pain level would have been a lot less. Morphine is never my first choice (I was rating myself a 6 - 7 on the paint scale as I came out of anesthesia, wanting to manage it to around a 4). It was definitely more painful than band insert or removal, but nothing at all like what I expected. Surgery was at 9am and by 3ish my pain was completely managed. I was told to expect some extra soreness because I had a large degree of scar tissue/adhesions that had to be dealt with, so both surgery time and invasion were more than expected. I was fine to walk around by 6 or 7 that evening, so I went for about 10 walks during the night. Felt so nice. I felt great the next morning (Wed) & was eager to get home. Discharge took until about 2pm. Then came the complication. I had an aytpical presentation of allergic reaction to one of the medicines - we still don't know which, because it's not a documented side effect. Within a few hours of getting home, from my neck to both wrists the skin was beet red and purple, think horrid sunburn,radiating extreme amounts of heat, and with seriously intense muscular aching that was truly close to agonizing - and I have a high pain tolerance. We tried to draw the heat out with ice bags but the temperature of my skin would melt all the ice within a minute or two. My skin was so hot to the touch that it was uncomfortable for other people to touch me. I called my surgeon's PA and was told to take Benadryl and wait it out. That was about 5pm. By about 2am I truly could not stand it any longer so I went to the ER. My radiant skin temperature in the affected areas was nearly 22 degrees higher than the rest of me by that time and ambient air temperature was unbearable and would cause instant muscle seizure. 5 hours in the ER with IV predisone, pepcid and dilaudid had me feeling much better. It's now almost completely cleared up. Just a few sore spots left. Definitely manageable. I'm now at home, very comfortable, with an addl Rx for prednisone and something to coat my stomach so that it doesn't overly irritate the sensitive staple line. I've beent old to postpone the Arixtra shots (I don't mind that one bit). Omeprazole and Lortab as needed, but my pain level isn't bad enough to need the Lortab. I just feel slightly achy/tight except for the spot where my drain was. That's the only spot that's actually painful. I should've done this the first time around!

The power to succeed (or fail) is in your hands. In rare cases, there are legitimate complications... but the majority of people who do not lose weight with their bands are not eating the right foods, exercising, getting follow up care, or following doctors orders. At the end of the day, the band will not work unless you do. In some ways, life after the band is harder, but I would do it all over again because I feel healthy for the first time in my life. Give yourself more time to think it over.

Hello all, I'm researching vsg and also plication. Plication sounds interesting and like a good wls but I noticed that there is a complication called necrosis. If I did choose plication and say, worst case scenario, I have a complication such as necrosis. Does this mean that the sutures must be taken out and the stomach returned to normal? Has anyone had to have their surgery reversed due to complications? I would appreciate any replies as I am definitely going to get one of these procedures but I am wondering what happens if there is a complication. I know the sleeve has complications as well. Thank you for any replies.

The term starvation mode is misleading and people use the term to describe totally different things. When relating to eating very low calorie diets I think a better description is that it creates a dysfunctional or depressed metabolism. As auntielle indicated, someone with a depressed metabolism can't rely on calculations by programs such as MFP or FitDay because they just aren't accurate. Their bodies have slowed down and their metabolism is depressed to the point they don't burn anywhere near the calories those programs calculate. (Another arbitrary calculation are the ones from fitness equipment - they are in some cases not even close to a ballpark figure) ... The way to fight against a depressed metabolism is to increase activities - especially dedicated exercise, while at the same time slowly increasing caloric intake. It's like taking a turbine from a slow lethargic revolution and adding the jet fuel to it. There seems to be the lack of LBT posters who indicate "I lost 100% of my excess body fat while eating 1000 calories a day with no exercise and wow is my skin tight and firm." Kinda sounds like a lot of infomercials that are too good to be true - and that's because it is. As far as Anorexic's, lets not confuse people who are having difficulty losing fat to people who are typically already underweight and force their body to remain in a catabolic state. People with Anorexia Nervosa are on the extreme side of calorie restriction, but in addition have a high incidence of comorbidities which complicate their situation. Anerexia also has a mental illness component so it's comparing apples to oranges. Brad

I am sorry for all of the trouble you have had; there is a forum on this site called lap band complications which has a subforum on lap band removal. Just keep scrolling down and you will see it. Take care of yourself. Robbie

Thank you! I had my surgery at St Joseph's through Healtheast with Dr Kelly. I had no complications whatsoever!